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Focus: Fossil Amphibians and Reptiles

The Fossil Amphibian and Reptile Collection includes over 7,000 catalogued specimens. The collections strengths include Early Permian fossils from Oklahoma & Texas, and growing collections of dinosaurs, and marine reptiles. A small but significant synapsid collection is included for historical reasons.

Associate Curator

Integrative Research Center (Science and Education)

Focus: Fossil Amphibians and Reptiles Collections

In the early 1920s, among Knight's great admirers was Dr. George Kunz, the renowned gemologist for Tiffany. Visiting Knight's studio, Kunz was struck by the fact that The Field Museum did not own any of Knight's work. Dr. Kunz worked with Knight's daughter Lucy, to secure a contract to create his biggest commission yet: a series of 28 murals to enclose the Museum's new fossil hall. The murals show the development of life on earth, from its earliest origins through the ages of amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Knight and Lucy traveled to Chicago in 1926 to begin the project.